For all of you thinking of traveling to Peru to do your hike up the Inca Trail, just an FYI! If you already booked ahead, they you are already aware of this. However, for those of you just doing things as you get there, this is something that could throw a wrench in your plans!

Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu will undergo maintenance and conservation work between January 15 and March 31 and will be close during February.

The conservation work will be led by experts of Cusco’s Regional Directorate of Culture, and will include stabilization and cleaning of the sections of the trail that were impacted by visitors last year, he said.

Astete said the ground would be treated for damage, as well as maintenance of camping grounds and bathrooms, cleaning water drains, and trimming plants, according to Peru This Week, citing an article by El Comercio.

“Everything is ready for this maintenance work on the Inca Trail, we have the equipment, tools and materials needed for this work,” he said.

Astete emphasized no tourists would be allowed access to the Inca Trail between February 1st and 29th.

He said the maintenance would be brought to the attention of all agencies and institutions related to tourism.